This is a Quilt-Block-of-the-Month Mystery series. It starts today! Clues will be presented every Sunday from now until Labor Day. It is a two color (plus background) quilt that finishes about 90″ x 90″. Look for a list of clues at the bottom of this page. To print this clue, use the green Print Friendly button below those clues. If that doesn’t work, try pressing down the CNTRL button and the P button at the same time. Or the COMMAND button and the P button if you are on a Mac. That should bring up the printer dialog.
Just a reminder: Anyone who sends me a picture of their quilt in progress or finished, gets a free copy of the professional pattern after the mystery is over. Offer expires 10/1/23. Send your pictures to phoebemoondesigns@gmail.com.
Introduction
Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.
Read over each clue before you start to sew. Make sure you understand all the directions before you begin cutting. There are many ways to make Flying Geese blocks. A traditional method is given in these directions. If you prefer another method, cut for that one.
Note: The Flying Geese quilt blocks used in this pattern are small. If you are a paper piecer, you may prefer to paper piece these. I am a big fan of Papers for Foundation Piecing because you can run it through the printer and get as many copies of design as you like. I will be giving you a sheet to copy.
Take your time, use pins, and press as you go. WOF means Width of Fabric. Pressing means just holding the iron over a spot for a moment or two. Don’t drag the iron back and forth as it might distort the seams.
Use scrap fabric to make test blocks. You may need to adjust your seam allowance or thread weight.
Fabric Requirements:
- 3 yards Background
- 5 yards Chocolate Brown
- 2 yards Pink
- 3/4 yard Fudge (Espresso) for binding
My thanks to Banyan Batiks for providing the fabric from their Dandelion Wishes collection for my sample. Here is what I am using:
As you go through the clues, cross of my colors and write in yours. It will save confusion later on.
Other Things that are helpful to have:
- A Stripology or Shape Cut ruler
- A 3-/12″, 6-1/2″, 9-1/2″, and an 18-1/2″ square ruler
- A mechanical pencil
- A Walking Foot
- Baggies or some other way to keep the clues sorted and numbered.
Clues:
- June 4: Introduction
- June 11: Birds
- June 18: An Easy Clue
- June 25: More Birds
- July 2: An Easy Clue
- July 9: Castle Turret
- July 16: X marks the spot
- July 23: More Turrets
- July 30: Secrets
- August 6: The Fort
- August 13: The Castle (a quick clue)
- August 20: Home at Last
- August 27: The Moats and a Secret Reveal
- PICTURE PAGE!
Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter. Once a week, I send updates on quilt-related information I have found while wandering the web. This might be an inspiring article, a tip or tutorial I have discovered (or written), and occasionally exclusive offers & discounts as well as immediate access to the page of free patterns, guides, and printables. You can follow my page on Facebook, or join the Make Believe Quilters group, too.
FYI– The Print Friendly feature isn’t working.
I have no idea what is going on. I did send an email to support but it is the weekend here, so they may not answer.
In the meantime, try pressing down the CNTRL button and the P button at the same time. Or the * button and the P button if you are on a Mac. That should bring up the printer dialog.
Thanks for letting me know.
On the MAC use “command” P, not the *.
Thank you! I fixed it.
It’s not about printing. It’s about getting to the clue for 6/11. It is not unlocked.
I have been unable to access the June 18 clue all day. It is now 5:42 pm CST. Please let me know if I am doing something wrong. I can usually figure out quilting instructions, however, computers are another matter. Thank you.
Ah, I see you are on AOL. They cache pages to reduce the load on servers. You need to hold down the CNTRL button when you reload or refresh the page. That should bring up the current version of https://scrapdash.com. If you get the current page (which is now the blog hop) try going directly to https://scrapdash.com/castle-secrets-block-of-the-week-mystery/ . I found that link in the “Recent Posts” section on the right hand side.
I cannot open clue three. It isn’t unlocked
They are weekly clues – I will add the date so it won’t be so confusing.
I have been unable to open the August 6 clue. The error message I receive is the server cannot be found. I have tried for several days.